Ann Stewart, Counsel, Ice Miller, LLP
During Ann Stewart's more than 20 years as an attorney, she recognized that educating employers in worker's compensation and other administrative law practices has been an important, and constant, part of her career. At the beginning of her legal career, Stewart advised clients about The Americans With Disabilities Act, a new legislation that required employers to modify their facilities and adjust their employment practices. Now, Stewart, of counsel at Ice Miller, focuses her practice on advising clients about the requirements of the Indiana Worker's Compensation Act. While there have been advancements in industrial safety programs, there is an ongoing need for education and training related to worker's compensation law requirements and best practices. In some cases, direct training of supervisors or adjusters is needed. Other times, informal discussions about recent court decisions or trends are sufficient. Still other times require Stewart to explain the worker's compensation process to employees who are not represented by counsel. Recent amendments to the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Medicare Secondary Payer Act further underscore the continued need for education, as changes in these laws could impact worker's compensation practices.
"We have a really good worker's compensation system in Indiana. Employers want to do the right thing, but they may not know the right steps to take. Employees need to know how to report work injuries. The best way to minimize worker's compensation costs is to focus on safety, proper reporting of work injuries, and claim management processes," stated Stewart. "In today's economy, we are familiar with the concept of doing more with less and, many times, there is high turnover in organizations. Therefore, in addition to safety training, it is important to train supervisors, or those processing worker's compensation claims, on the rights and responsibilities employers have under the Indiana Worker's Compensation Act. If there is a change in personnel or reorganization of responsibilities, it can be difficult to have a consistent process for claims management."
Stewart primarily represents employers in workers' compensation cases and employment-related matters, including ADA, FMLA, sexual harassment and discrimination. She regularly speaks to employer groups advising them of the rights and responsibilities under the Indiana Worker's Compensation Act and changes to the Indiana Worker's Compensation practice. Stewart also counsels clients regarding legislative updates to the ADA and Medicare Secondary Payer Act regulations.
"Prior to joining Ice Miller, I was responsible for employment-related matters as corporate counsel in manufacturing and public utility environments. This experience helps me understand what HR & Safety personnel are dealing with on a day-to-day basis. I help keep clients in tune with a working knowledge of Indiana law, and help them focus on the true costs of workplace injuries." Stewart looks for the client’s best interest by structuring classes and information sessions to help educate clients on important industry topics. Stewart teaches clients what they need to do to comply with the law and to develop practices to help them minimize their exposures and maximize their defense.
Stewart regularly speaks at seminars. She recently presented the case law update at the Indiana Chambers' January 2011 worker's compensation seminar. She plans to present 'Worker's Compensation 101' at the Indiana Chambers' Human Resources conference and is scheduled to speak at the IWCI August 2011 conference. Stewart has also chaired several conferences. In November, 2010, she chaired ICLEF's worker's compensation seminar and presented material addressing considerations for settlements of worker's compensation claims with Medicare beneficiaries. At the ICLEF conference she also facilitated discussions with the Board judges about recent Court of Appeals' decisions related to bad faith or lack of diligence in claims managements and a panel discussion about recent Board decisions. For several years, Stewart co-chaired a two-day Indiana worker's compensation conference sponsored by the Council on Education in Management in Indianapolis.
She has extensive experience representing clients in administrative proceedings before local, state and federal agencies such as the Indiana Worker's' Compensation Board, the EEOC, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and OSHA. Stewart assists clients in developing personnel policies, severance agreements and supervisory training programs to comply with state and federal laws. She organized and led workplace diversity audits as well as workplace safety audits and investigations.
Ice Miller Resources/Publications
Worker Misclassification December 2010 Update: Independent Contractor or Employee? Know the Difference or Pay the Consequences
Bad Faith or Lack of Diligence Under the Indiana Worker's Compensation Act
What's an Employer to Do? Lessons From Recent Worker's Compensation Cases
Informed Employer Newsletter
Informed Employer - March 2
Informed Employer - February 16
Informed Employer - February 2
Informed Employer – January 19Informed Employer – January 5
Informed Employer – December 22
Informed Employer – December 8
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IceMiller Social Media Blog
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Workers's Compensation Resources
Ice Miller Worker's Compensation Web Page
Worker's Compensation Board of Indiana
Health Care Reform Resources
Health Care Reform Web PageBusinesses Beware: Health Care Reform Bill Greatly Expands Form 1099 Reporting Requirements
Updated Summary of Health Care Reform for Employers
PPACA Action Item Checklist for the Upcoming Plan Year
ADA
Inflexible Leave Policies and the ADA
Ice Miller Informed Employer Briefing Weekly – ADA Anniversary
Lessons from Recent Worker's Compensation Cases
Events with Ice Miller Staff Involvement
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTSUpcoming Ice Miller Seminars
March 23, 2011
The Growing Role of Diversity & Inclusion in Healthcare Explained
April 5, 2011
The Art and Science of Recruiting Healthy Employees
April 21, 2011
Health Care Reform: Still Alive in 2011
May 2-4, 2011
47th Annual Human Resource Conference & Expo
August 4, 2011
Professional Associations
Member, Labor Law Section, Indiana State Bar AssociationMember, Indiana Worker's Compensation Institute
Member, Defense Trial Counsel of IndianaMember, Indiana Self-Insurers Assoc., Inc.
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Our firm was founded on a commitment to provide personal service and valued legal counsel to our clients. After 100 years, that hasn't changed. We cultivate close working partnerships between clients and attorneys to ensure personal attention is provided every step of the way. And we clearly establish who has overall responsibility for the work performed on each matter - you are assured of well-managed, cost-effective and timely service under the supervision of your relationship partner.Safety and Health Guide for Indiana Business - Sixth Edition
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Advisory Services
Ice Miller attorneys answer employers' questions and address issues early in the process to help employers and insurers decide whether to accept particular claims, and how to investigate and manage claims. Ice Miller's Worker's Compensation Group is a part of the Labor and Employment Section, so that our attorneys can counsel employers on the full range of employment issues raised by work injuries, from the FMLA to wrongful discharge to the ADA. We also handle sensitive cases involving serious injury and death, which raise both worker's compensation and OSHA questions.Consultation Services
Ice Miller's practice includes all aspects of worker's compensation law, not just litigation. We are prepared to advise our clients on problems involving insurance rates, including experience modifier issues and classifications, and we can assist them with ICRB issues and appeals. We work with clients on risk management issues such as health and safety programs to reduce losses. We help clients assess the benefits and feasibility of self-insured status. We represent clients before the Board who are seeking self-insured status and self-insured clients who have encountered difficulties with the Board. Our clients include self-insured companies, public and private institutions, insurance companies, and third-party administrators.